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Giambi activated as part of Indians' roster moves

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Giambi's solo shot 0:34

5/28/14: Jason Giambi belts a line-drive home run to right field for his second of the year, giving the Indians a 1-0 lead

By Stephen Pianovich
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MLB.com |

CLEVELAND -- The Indians made a series of expected roster moves Monday, as the roster expanded to 40 players. Those moves included activating 20-year Major League veteran Jason Giambi from the 60-day disabled list.

Manager Terry Francona was pleased to have Giambi available again. Giambi, 43, had not played for the Tribe since June 11 due to left knee inflammation, but he remained a presence in the clubhouse.

"He stuck his head in today, he had a little bounce in his step," Francona said of Giambi. "I think it means a lot to G. I think this has been hard on G this year. He never once uttered a frustrating word to anybody, but I don't think for one minute that this has been easy for him. I respect him more now than I used to, which is hard."

Giambi -- who struck out in a pinch-hit appearance in the ninth inning of Monday's 12-1 loss -- recently made three rehab appearances with Double-A Akron. The five-time All-Star went 2-for-9 with a pair of doubles and five strikeouts.

"What 43-year-old guy who has that many years goes to Double-A and gets at-bats? Nobody. Except for G," Francona said Monday.

Price and Adams both pitched in Monday's loss. Adams was tagged for a three-run homer in the ninth. Price, meanwhile, made his Major League debut in the eighth, and after two outs, he was welcomed to The Show in the form of a Miguel Cabrera solo homer. Price went on to allow another run, two hits, a walk and he hit a batter with two outs before ending the inning.

"I thought his first couple of hitters, real good stuff," Francona said. "Then the home run went to right and I thought he started pitching away from the barrel a little bit. I think he has good enough stuff where he needs to stay in attack mode."

Infielder Jesus Aguilar was also added to Cleveland's roster from Columbus and was in Monday's lineup, going 0-for-2 with a walk as the DH. Aguilar made his Major League debut on May 15.

Catcher Chris Gimenez was activated from the paternity list on Monday. Gimenez is hitting .262/.331/.355 in 34 games this season, all of which came when he was a member of the Rangers. The Indians acquired Gimenez in a trade on Aug. 23.

Stephen Pianovich is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.